Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. . . They go from strength to strength, til each appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:5,7).

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"Wherever your lives may be cast, make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it" (Edward Bok). And I would add, do it for Jesus.

About Me

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength

During my most recent bout with depression I pondered what
the joy of the Lord actually is.I read
a sermon by Charles Spurgeon on this verse in Nehemiah and gained some insight.

The joy of the Lord comes from knowing God and who He
is.He is our power, our protection, our
wisdom, our guidance, our foundation, and our salvation.He is loving, forgiving, compassionate, and
faithful.

This joy also comes from our personal relationship with
God.We are reconciled, adopted, loved,
and have the privilege of fellowship and communion with Him.

Knowing that every aspect of our lives and circumstances are
under God’s goodness and sovereignty brings joy.Even through the most difficult times, God is
accomplishing good for us.

The joy of the Lord also comes from serving and being
obedient to Him. It can be very difficult to pray or praise or believe
Scripture when we are suffering, but Jesus said when we obey we will have joy.

And how does this joy bring strength?As we focus on these sources of joy our faith
and hope in God increase, strengthening us for future trials.Knowing all we have in God leads us to praise
and thankfulness which also help carry us through dark times.

John Ortberg wrote, “Joy is at the heart of God.Joy is a command.Joy is strength and its absence will create
weakness. God is the happiest being in the universe.And God’s intent was that his creation would
mirror his joy.”

My depression and health issues may always make it
challenging for me to feel joyful, but by God’s grace I want to keep striving
for it.And if the feeling doesn’t come
now, I want to live in faith for the endless eternal joy that is coming.

Prayer:O Lord, you know how hard it is for me to
maintain joy through my sufferings. Regardless of my feelings, help me focus on
all the reasons to be joyful in You and to remember that one day complete joy
will be mine forever.Amen.

2 comments:

Thank you Bronlynn for all you share. The Lord brings encouragement through your blog .May the Joy of the Lord continually be your Strength as you trust in Jesus. I've had fibromyalgia for 20 years and also a lymphoma survivor...I am so thankful for the Grace our precious Lord provides daily. God Bless you Mightily.